Golden Eagle Fundraiser Lands In the City

The statue is being sold to raise money for breast cancer

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The Maltese Eagle was created in an effort to raise money for breast cancer after Shores' sister-in-law passed away from breast cancer just two days after giving birth to her daughter. Shore is selling the Maltese Eagle for $5 million dollars with $1 million of the sale price being donated to the breast cancer charity of the buyers choice.

A solid gold, jewel-encrusted "Maltese eagle" has arrived at San Francisco's John's Grill for a special showing as part of a breast cancer charity fundraiser.

The eagle, formerly known as the "Golden Eagle," is a $5 million statue weighing 18 pounds and is thought to be the world's largest solid gold and diamond-encrusted statue, according to Lee Houskeeper, a publicist for the restaurant.

The statue's owner, Canadian philanthropist Ron Shore, plans to sell it and donate $1 million from the sale to breast cancer charities.

The eagle arrived at John's Grill Friday night. under armed police guard and will be displayed next to a replica of the Maltese Falcon statue seen in the movie of the same name.

The birds can be viewed and photographed together at a special invitation-only "Birds of a Feather" benefit for the Friends of Faith, a breast cancer charity, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Members of the public can view the birds Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Dashiell Hammett Room of John's Grill at 63 Ellis St.

John's Grill was mentioned as a setting in Dashiell Hammett's 1930 novel, "The Maltese Falcon." One of the older restaurants in San Francisco, the restaurant maintains a room of historic memorabilia, including the falcon statue.